Unfortunately, many Soldiers with actual Combat experiences carry those feelings and episodes with them for the rest of their lives. I had a chance to really dig deep and read many authoritative books with statistics and research about PTSD [Post Traumatic Stress Disorder] when I was at MATC -- Milwaukee Area Technical College, etc., when I was laid off from AMC/ Chrysler in the Winter of 1994-95, while I was studying more welding and related subjects. Again, you can learn to "live with / deal with" PTSD, [like diabetes or cancer] but it never goes away completely -- instead it gets worse with time/ old age, as I have learned. But I've found that serious study and reading the Bible helps temper the mean dreams, nightmares, depression, and flashbacks-- that are the 'nature of the beast.' Email me for more help and discussion on this subject, if you like. tschuckman@aol.com
PTSD, or whatever name they stick on it now days [and in the past wars], has ALWAYS been a part of 'up close and personal' combat/ war. BUT, there are some cultures that have found a way to tone down' / lessen PTSD, like the ancient Israelites, and the American Indians, for example. Actually, the God of the Bible, and the Israelites, Jehovah [or YHWH-- the Tetragramaton] , commanded the Israelite soldiers to "stand down" after the battle in a 'purification ceremony' where they could 'un-wind' and talk about what happened, and give thanks for the many miracles and victories. The WW-2 Veterans mostly came home together on ships that took several weeks to get home or their next duty assignment, where they had the comradeship and fellowship so they could 'debrief' and settle down to some extent, from what I heard and read. My Dad was one of these SeaBees of the Navy who was hurt at Saipan, who told me about his experiences in WW-2. Vietnam combat Veterans DID NOT have these chances to rest, debrief, get together and unwind, but just flew home on a big jet and stepped back into "The World" -- the mini-skirt, wild, modern-- up side down, ignorant world back home in America, where mostly indifferent, intolerant and uncaring people went about their own business, oblivious to what the Veterans went through. The VA system was not any better-- and Vietnam Vets were mostly disenfranchised. cheated. mislead, ignored, papers and documents "LOST", claims bungled, buried, etc., Agent Orange was lied about, and life long struggles, court cases ensued, battles fought with the gov't.
In my humble opinion [IMHO], when I meet a new person who is a real, born-again, biblical, Christian -- who is also a combat Veteran, there is an instant close bonding that is so special! It's like: 'Brother, I love and respect you for many reasons, and I am here and ready to lay down my life for you and your family.' That's the closest way I can describe it with my limited words and intellect, friends. I have been blessed to have a double handful of brothers like this who mentored and helped me progress from the infant stage to a more mature brother in Christ.... but those are stories for the future.
Tom
A Poem Worth Reading
He was getting old and paunchy
And his hair was falling fast,
And he sat around the Legion,
Telling stories of the past.
Of a war that he once fought in
And the deeds that he had done,
In his exploits with his buddies;
They were heroes, every one.
And 'tho sometimes to his neighbors
His tales became a joke,
All his buddies listened quietly
For they knew where of he spoke.
But we'll hear his tales no longer,
For ol' Bob has passed away,
And the world's a little poorer
For a Soldier died today.
He won't be mourned by many,
Just his children and his wife.
For he lived an ordinary,
Very quiet sort of life..
> He held a job and raised a family,
> Going quietly on his way;
And the world won't note his passing,
'Tho a Soldier died today.
> When politicians leave this earth,
> Their bodies lie in state,
> While thousands note their passing,
> And proclaim that they were great.
> Papers tell of their life stories
> From the time that they were young
> But the passing of a Soldier
Goes unnoticed, and unsung.
Is the greatest contribution
To the welfare of our land,
Some jerk who breaks his promise
And cons his fellow man?
Or the ordinary fellow
Who in times of war and strife,
Goes off to serve his country
And offers up his life?
The politician's stipend
And the style in which he lives,
Are often disproportionate,
To the service that he gives.
While the ordinary Soldier,
Who offered up his all,
Is paid off with a medal
And perhaps a pension, small.
It's so easy to forget them, > For it is so many times
That our Bobs and Jims and Johnnys,
Went to battle, but we know,
> It is not the politicians
> With their compromise and ploys,
> Who won for us the freedom
> That our country now enjoys.
> Should you find yourself in danger,
> With your enemies at hand,
> Would you really want some cop-out,
> With his ever waffling stand?
>
> Or would you want a Soldier--
> His home, his country, his kin,
> Just a common Soldier,
> Who would fight until the end.
>
> He was just a common Soldier,
> And his ranks are growing thin,
> But his presence should remind us
> We may need his like again.
> For when countries are in conflict,
> We find the Soldier's part
> Is to clean up all the troubles
> That the politicians start.
> If we cannot do him honor
> While he's here to hear the praise,
> Then at least let's give him homage
At the ending of his days.
Perhaps just a simple headline
In the paper that might say:
"OUR COUNTRY IS IN MOURNING,
A SOLDIER DIED TODAY."
Pass On The Patriotism!
YOU can make a difference
A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank
check made payable 'To My Country' for an amount "up to and including
my life."
That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no
longer understand it.
********************************************************************
Posted: 01 May 2010 10:34 AM PDT
By T. A. McMahonThe Berean CallBeloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye; for the spirit of glory and of God********************************************************
PS: My nephew, Steven Schuckman, promised to till our Victory Garden tomorrow while we will be in church, and then I can come home to visit and thank him. Praise the Lord for people who keep their promises, and keep their words!
Posts
